The Codex Collective: Team 8

[MN Lisa, Mistress of Mayhem with a Method]

🔐 Welcome to Your Box.

The lock is real. The box is closed. But the two of you? You have the keys.

This is your personal team thread. Each week, you’ll receive a new reading prompt. Each of you will choose a book, read it, and post your reflection here. Once both reflections are posted, a key turns—and the box reveals a message just for you.

You must complete all 12 keyholes to open the box in Week 13.

You can use this thread for:
🔐 Weekly reflections
🔐 Talking with your partner
🔐 Celebrating when a new lock opens

Your first prompt arrives Sunday at 6pm CT. You’ll know it when you see it.

Until then: get to know each other. Decide who’s reading what.
And whatever you do… don’t open it yet.

📖 Weekly Check-In Format
When you finish your book, post the info below in this thread to let your partner know you're ready. Once both of you have posted your reflections, one of you should check in on the main thread to unlock your keyhole.

• Week: (e.g., Week 1)
• Book Title:
• Author:
• Page Count:
• Reflection: Your response to the week’s prompt.

🔎 Weekly Check-In Thread
This is how your keyhole gets unlocked.
No check-in, no click.

How to check in:
Just post your team name and a link to your team thread.

Example:
Team: The Locked Hearts
Thread: [insert link here]

Once I see your check-in, your message will appear in your thread—if you’ve earned it.

[MN Lisa, Mistress of Mayhem with a Method]

Team 8:
Susan
🗝️Alaina

[Alaina]

Hi Susan! Excited to get started!

Any ideas for a team name?

[Susan]

Hi! I’ve been traveling, sorry for the late reply! I’ve never played anything like this so I’m not sure.

[Susan]

How about The Codex Collective.

[Alaina]

No worries at all! And I like the name, I'll go ahead and check us in

[Susan]

Thank you! I have limited cell phone access until Wednesday

[Susan]

I was hiking in Oregon, but now I'm back home with regular internet access! What kind of books do you like to read?

[Susan]

I stumbled upon this...

🔐 Week 1 Prompt: What You Bring With You
Some locks don’t need a key—they open for what you carry.
Choose a book that reflects something you bring to this partnership:
a personality trait, a past experience, a strength, a flaw—anything that shapes how you read and relate.

Each of you will choose your own book and explain what you're bringing to the box.

[Susan]

After much consideration I will be reading Eat, Pray, Love. It's been on my TBR for years and it seems fitting for this prompt.

[Alaina]

Susan wrote: "I was hiking in Oregon, but now I'm back home with regular internet access! What kind of books do you like to read?"

That sounds wonderful, I've been to Oregon a few times and I always thought it was such a beautiful state.

I read a little bit of everything, but my favorite genres are horror, fantasy, and sci-fi. How about you?

[Susan]

Alaina wrote: "Susan wrote: "I was hiking in Oregon, but now I'm back home with regular internet access! What kind of books do you like to read?"

That sounds wonderful, I've been to Oregon a few times and I alwa..."

My husband is from Oregon, so it's always fun to go back there with him. It really is a beatiful state! I like mysteries, thrillers, horror and historical fiction. I've been trying to read more stuff outside my typical reads this year. I'm up to 154 books read so far in 2025.

[Alaina]

Susan wrote: "I stumbled upon this...

🔐 Week 1 Prompt: What You Bring With You
Some locks don’t need a key—they open for what you carry.
Choose a book that reflects something you bring to this partnership:
a pe..."

For this I'm going to pick up White Oleander. I've also had this book on my shelf for years, and I think it'll fit this prompt very well according to what I'm reading from the synopsis

[Susan]

Alaina wrote: "Susan wrote: "I stumbled upon this...

🔐 Week 1 Prompt: What You Bring With You
Some locks don’t need a key—they open for what you carry.
Choose a book that reflects something you bring to this par..."

Great book! I read it at some point this year!

[Susan]

• Week: 1
• Book Title: Eat, Pray, Love
• Author: Elizabeth Gilbert
• Page Count: 368
• Reflection: Your response to the week’s prompt.
I chose this book because it's been on my TBR list since 2015! I've wanted to read it for the longest time and always put it off. Since reading it, I totally understand where Liz was coming from when she needed to go on a spirtual journey in her 30s. I'm not religous but understand divorcing someone you loved and then needing to get away, to heal. Therefore I bring a well traveled indvidual to the partnership with a solid state of mind.

[Susan]

Good morning! How’s it going with your book? We have to post when we’ve completed it. Hope you’re enjoying it!

[Alaina]

Hi Susan, so sorry for the delay! I just gave birth on Saturday and just got home from the hospital a little bit ago. I've been reading though and should be done very soon! I'll check us in when I'm finished

[Susan]

Alaina wrote: "Hi Susan, so sorry for the delay! I just gave birth on Saturday and just got home from the hospital a little bit ago. I've been reading though and should be done very soon! I'll check us in when I'..."

Oh congratulations!

[Susan]

🔐 Week 2 Prompt: Judge This Book
Some locks don’t care what’s inside—only how it looks.
Choose a book based solely on the cover.
No blurbs. No reviews. No second guesses. Just vibes.

[Susan]

I'm going to read a book with fun fall like vibes, plus the edges of the pages are painted...my favorite kind of pretty book! Falling Like Leaves

[Alaina]

• Week: 1
• Book Title: White Oleander
• Author: Janet Fitch
• Page Count: 446
• Reflection:
I read this book because it reflects resilience and the journey of figuring out who you are despite your hardships. While I didn't have the same exact experiences as the main character, I did deal with a difficult family situation growing up and finding my own strength is a big part of my life story. I feel that I bring a resilient a person to this partnership, someone who is always moving forward with curiosity and a love of learning from different perspectives.

[Alaina]

Checked us in!

[Susan]

Alaina wrote: "Checked us in!"

Thank you!

[MN Lisa, Mistress of Mayhem with a Method]

🗝️ Week 1 Response
This box doesn’t open on its own.
It opened because you showed up as yourself.

What’s one thing from your book you hope your partner always associates with you?

Each unlock is an invitation. What matters now is how you respond and continue the conversation—nothing more is needed.

[Susan]

MN Lisa wrote: "🗝️ Week 1 Response
This box doesn’t open on its own.
It opened because you showed up as yourself.

What’s one thing from your book you hope your partner always associates with you?

Each unlock is ..."

I learned that Alaina and I both had difficult childhoods. We both had to be strong in order to set forth and conquer adulthood. With my divorce in my 30s, I wanted my daughter to have a great childhood and not grow up with parents who hated eachother.

[Alaina]

MN Lisa wrote: "🗝️ Week 1 Response
This box doesn’t open on its own.
It opened because you showed up as yourself.

What’s one thing from your book you hope your partner always associates with you?

Each unlock is ..."

One thing I hope my partner understands about me is that my childhood had a big impact on me, but those experiences have pushed me to be intentional about the life I create now. As a mother of two and someone who works with children, I’m passionate about providing safety, guidance, and attentiveness so that the children in my life grow up supported and well-rounded. What I endured made me stronger, and it made me determined to ensure the next generation has something better.

[Alaina]

Susan wrote: "🔐 Week 2 Prompt: Judge This Book
Some locks don’t care what’s inside—only how it looks.
Choose a book based solely on the cover.
No blurbs. No reviews. No second guesses. Just vibes."

I'm in the mood for something short and spooky. I'm choosing The Salt Grows Heavy because I really like the eeriness of the cover, I'm excited to see what it's all about.

[Susan]

• Week 2: Judge This Book
• Book Title:
• Author: Misty Wilson
• Page Count: 352
• Reflection: I choose this book because the book has pretty painted edges in red with leaves. Fall time is slowly approaching on calendar here in Oklahoma, not so much by weather. It's still in the 90s. I lived in Massachusetts for 10 years and miss the kind of fall New England gets. Falling Like Leaves is set in Connecticut and the story is based around friendships and fall time fun.

[Susan]

How's your week 2 book coming along Alaina?

Here's our next prompt...

🔐 Week 3 Prompt: Your Missing Piece
Some locks stay closed because something’s missing.
Choose a book that fills a gap in your reading life—something you’ve been avoiding, neglecting, or meaning to try.
Even better if it’s outside your comfort zone.

[Susan]

For week 3, I'm going to read The Enchanted Greenhouse .... I tend to shy away from Romantasy/Fantasy sort of books. I read The Spellshop earlier this year and found it entertaining, but it's been a while since I picked up a book like this.

[Alaina]

• Week: 2
• Book Title: The Salt Grows Heavy
• Author: Cassandra Khaw
• Page Count: 106
• Reflection:
I chose this book for the creepy cover and short page count. I'm very ready for spooky season and this was a great, atmospheric, and eerie tale that has helped in getting me ready for all the dark books I want to pick up for the fall

[Susan]

Alaina wrote: "• Week: 2
• Book Title: The Salt Grows Heavy
• Author: Cassandra Khaw
• Page Count: 106
• Reflection:
I chose this book for the creepy cover and short page count. ..."

Nice! I added it to my TBR, looks like a good book! I'll check us in for week 2!

[Alaina]

Perfect, thank you so much!

And for week 3, I'm going to pick up Throne of Secrets. This is a sequel to a book I read last year that I surprisingly enjoyed. It's one I've been putting off because I've heard that it's not as good as the first book, and I'm still trying to figure out if Fantasy Romance is a genre that I enjoy

[MN Lisa, Mistress of Mayhem with a Method]

🗝️ Week 2 Response
Looks can be deceiving.
But sometimes… they’re not.

What do you think your partner would have expected from your cover—and were they right?

You’ve opened the lock; the rest is dialogue. Respond to each other here, and let the box stay open.

[Susan]

MN Lisa wrote: "🗝️ Week 2 Response
Looks can be deceiving.
But sometimes… they’re not.

What do you think your partner would have expected from your cover—and were they right?

You’ve opened the lock; the rest is ..."

The cover of Falling Like Leaves screams fall time romance, so I'm guessing Alaina would have assumed I enjoy cheesy romance books. Maybe I secretly do, tho.

[Alaina]

MN Lisa wrote: "🗝️ Week 2 Response
Looks can be deceiving.
But sometimes… they’re not.

What do you think your partner would have expected from your cover—and were they right?

You’ve opened the lock; the rest is ..."

I'm thinking that once Susan saw the cover of The Salt Grows Heavy she would've assumed I enjoy creepy, dark books. And if so she would be right! Horror is my favorite genre

[Susan]

• Week: 3
• Book Title: The Enchanted Greenhouse
• Author: Sarah Beth Durst
• Page Count: 375
• Reflection: Your response to the week’s prompt. - The Enchanted Greenhouse is a romantasy. This is my second book I've ever read in this genre. This is not a genre I gravitate toward, but I really like the writing style of Sarah Beth Durst. I read the first book in the series The Spellshop back in January and I was pleasantly surprised how much I liked it. It's taken me this long to read another romantasy book though, but I really liked the story of The Enchanted Greenhouse.

[Susan]

🔐 Week 4 Prompt: Pick a Trope, Any Trope
This lock is a little more dramatic than the others. It wants a twist.
Choose a book with a trope you either love, hate, or can’t stop reading.
Enemies to lovers. Found family. Secret royalty. You know the type.

Your partner has to guess how you feel about it.

[Susan]

For week 4, I am reading Behind Closed Doors

[Alaina]

• Week: 3
• Book Title: Throne of Secrets
• Author: Kerri Maniscalco
• Page Count: 502
• Reflection: I've been putting off this book because it is the sequel to Throne of the Fallen, a book that I surprisingly enjoyed in a genre I'm not well-versed in, so it intimidated me. I also heard rumors that this book was not as good as the first one, and unfortunately that was the case with me. It wasn't bad, though, and I'm still interested in continuing the series and exploring more Fantasy Romance.

[Alaina]

Susan wrote: "For week 4, I am reading Behind Closed Doors"

I've read this! I'm wondering if you're into the seemingly perfect couple trope. Either way, I hope you enjoy it!

[Alaina]

I'll be reading The Appeal for Week 4

[MN Lisa, Mistress of Mayhem with a Method]

🗝️ Week 3 Response
This key slipped into place like it had been waiting for you.
Maybe the stories we resist are the ones we need most.

What gap do you think your partner’s book filled for them—and was it the one you expected?

[Alaina]

MN Lisa wrote: "🗝️ Week 3 Response
This key slipped into place like it had been waiting for you.
Maybe the stories we resist are the ones we need most.

What gap do you think your partner’s book filled for them—an..."

Susan and I were very similar in fulfilling this prompt, we chose sequels from Romantasy series we have already started even though Romantasy isn’t a genre we typically read. By picking up The Enchanted Greenhouse, I think Susan stepped outside of her comfort zone and is hopefully more open to exploring the Romantasy genre in the future.

[Susan]

MN Lisa wrote: "🗝️ Week 3 Response
This key slipped into place like it had been waiting for you.
Maybe the stories we resist are the ones we need most.

What gap do you think your partner’s book filled for them—an..."

I thought it was interesting that Alaina picked a book from a Romantasy series she had started but hadn’t finished. Since she enjoyed the first one, it makes sense she wanted to keep going with the series—even if the second book didn’t live up to the first.

[Susan]

🔐 Week 4 Prompt: Pick a Trope, Any Trope
• Book Title: Behind Closed Doors
• Author: B.A. Paris
• Page Count: 293
• Reflection: This book caught my attention from the start. The writing wasn't very deep, but the story line hooked me.

[Alaina]

• Week: 4
• Book Title: The Appeal
• Author: Janice Hallett
• Page Count: 447
• Reflection: I read this book because it has the trope of being an epistolary novel and was told entirely through emails, text messages, and documents.

[Alaina]

Susan wrote: "🔐 Week 4 Prompt: Pick a Trope, Any Trope
• Book Title: Behind Closed Doors
• Author: B.A. Paris
• Page Count: 293
• Reflection: This book caught my attention from the start. The wri..."

Like I mentioned before, I think Susan read this due to the seemingly perfect couple trope, and it is a trope that she enjoys reading in domestic thrillers

[Susan]

Alaina wrote: "Susan wrote: "🔐 Week 4 Prompt: Pick a Trope, Any Trope
• Book Title: Behind Closed Doors
• Author: B.A. Paris
• Page Count: 293
• Reflection: This book caught my attention from the ..."

I do enjoy a good thriller!

[Susan]

Alaina wrote: "• Week: 4
• Book Title: The Appeal
• Author: Janice Hallett
• Page Count: 447
• Reflection: I read this book because it has the trope of being an epistolary novel ..."

I had to look up The Appeal, written through emails, text messages and documents, I suppose the book is made to really immerse you into the story. I think Alaina enjoys this kind of mystery.